Barnes & Noble CEO Resigns After Tablet Losses

William Lynch Had Focused on Struggling Nook Business

Two weeks ago Barnes & Noble Inc. scratched its big ambitions to become a player in the tablet hardware business. On Monday, the retailer's CEO was out the door.

William Lynch resigned as chief executive, effective immediately, in the wake of last month's news that losses at the bookseller's Nook digital business had more than doubled for the quarter ended April 27.